I don’t think my midwestern sensibilities would even allow my wildest imagination the opportunity to think the thing would become what it’s become’: Jason Sudeikis. Photograph: Julian Broad/Contour RA Nate’s character journey in Ted Lasso culminated at the ‘Believe’ sign, serving as a stark contrast to his own beliefs. The pivotal moment arrived in the season 2 finale when Nate, driven by his insecurities and misinterpretations, tore the ‘Believe’ sign in half. This act was not only a reflection of Nate’s inner turmoil but also a commentary on Ted and his coaching philosophy.

Ted Lasso was never about true realism. This was not a show that aimed to explore the ins and outs of professional soccer. It was a workplace comedy, with the struggles of a team being an extended metaphor for life. So Long, Farewell” wasn’t necessarily about closure, but coping with change — and how it needs to be a personal decision independent of anyone else. I admire that Ted Lasso’s finale didn’t strive to wrap EVERYTHING up with a neat bow, because some of the issues were too big to fix in 114 minutes. Yes, and with a shot that matches the opening shot of the season. It was something I remember Brett texting me about, just before we started filming. He said, “Just so you know, the opening and closing shots of the season are Nate’s eyes, and it’s really important you know that for the journey that he’s about to go on, because the eyes are very different in the end.” It exemplify when Nathan Shelley, newly anointed as an assistant coach, informs Ted that he doesn't think they could win against Manchester City F.C.. Riled to a point of near-anger, Ted roams his house until he produces a smaller "Believe" poster from his bathroom, proving to both Nate and Beard that belief is so important, it followed him to the bathroom. Jason Sudeikis Recruits 'Ted Lasso' Co-Stars Hannah Waddingham, Brendan Hunt for Kansas City Charity ConcertI personally knew I would find it difficult because it’s certainly not my comfort area in terms of acting or performing. I usually do comedy, and I will always go for the laugh over anything else — almost as a defense mechanism, really, in real life! Given the journey that Nate’s gone on in Season 1 in building his confidence — not completely, he’s still got insecurities and demons and a toxic relationship with his dad and so on — he’s been feeling empowered because of Ted, and now suddenly Ted and others are slightly blindsiding him a little bit and it’s tearing him apart. He finally voices that in Episode 12.

Balancing act: Jason Sudeikis, as Ted Lasso, keeping a lot of balls in the air. Photograph: Julian Broad/Contour RA Meanwhile, in a move no one predicted, Coach Lasso has become a guru for our age: a case study of kindness and decency triumphing in a cynical modern world. Sudeikis and the rest of the cast had been invited to the White House to discuss mental-health strategies. Someone – presumably not President Biden himself, but you never know – had taped up a blue and yellow sign reading “BELIEVE”, the motto of AFC Richmond, above the door to the Oval Office. Unveiled during the show’s inaugural season, the ‘Believe’ sign became Ted’s tool for motivating his players, paying homage to the beloved American TV series ‘Friday Night Lights.’ Initially dismissed as frivolous, it swiftly evolved into a unifying force, not only for the players but also for the team’s coaching staff. Even Ted, often grappling with his personal issues off the field, found inspiration in this visual cue.At its core, ‘Ted Lasso’ conveys a message of unwavering determination and the relentless pursuit of excellence, even when faced with adversity. Throughout the series, it becomes evident that Ted’s unyielding can-do spirit alone cannot single-handedly transform the team’s fortunes, leading to initial skepticism regarding his ‘Believe’ sign. However, as Ted’s coaching philosophy and personality become more apparent to his colleagues and players, the significance of the sign as a representation of his life approach begins to influence those around him.

There’s been more: a “bombshell interview” from their former nanny (Sudeikis and Wilde then united to refute her claims as “false and scurrilous”). But reps for Sudeikis request not to go there today, to avoid stirring the pot further.I’d been sent the script early. Jason had written it, and we talked for ages about it. The whole season, there’s no other scene between Ted and Nate; they’re in scenes together with other people but it’s never a two-hander. And that’s really important. In fact, the last two-hander between them was in Season 1, Episode 7, just before Nate gives the pregame roast, when Ted apologizes for having a go at him the night before in the hotel. I remember Jason was like, “This is really important, that this is the only scene between those two.”